# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk (1298)
LONDON, 22 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk, honouring the pivotal role of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a predecessor in the Barony, whose leadership exemplified the House’s enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
On this day, 22 July, in the year 1298, the fields near Falkirk in Stirlingshire became the setting for one of the most consequential engagements of the First War of Scottish Independence. The Noble House of Brattleby observes this anniversary not as a celebration of conflict, but as a solemn remembrance of duty, sacrifice, and the complex tapestry of British history.
The occasion serves as a moment of reflection on the martial heritage of the Barony of Brattleby, which has for centuries been intrinsically linked to the defence of the Realm. This sober commemoration honours the individuals whose actions shaped the course of nations and whose legacy of service is a *sine qua non* of the House's modern identity.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Falkirk was a critical turning point in King Edward I’s campaign to reassert English authority in Scotland following the defeat at Stirling Bridge the previous year. Within this formidable English force was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby, a trusted counsellor to the King and a military commander of high repute.
His command of one of the four main cavalry divisions, or *batailles*, was instrumental in breaking the Scottish schiltrons under Sir William Wallace. De Lacy’s tactical acumen and unwavering loyalty continued a tradition of service established by earlier Barons, most notably the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces in 1217.
## Distinguished Company
The field at Falkirk assembled some of the most powerful figures of the age. The leadership of the English army, under the direct command of His Majesty King Edward I, comprised a roll call of the great nobles of the kingdom.
Henry de Lacy, as Earl of Lincoln and Lord of Pontefract, stood in distinguished company alongside, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward I, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine * The Right Honourable Antony Bek, Prince-Bishop of Durham * The Right Honourable John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey * The Right Honourable Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford and Constable of England * The Right Honourable Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England
## Ceremonial Protocol
The military protocol of the late 13th century was a matter of precise and public order. Before the engagement, the Royal Standard of the Plantagenet kings—displaying the three lions passant guardant—was unfurled, alongside the personal banners of the great lords, including the de Lacy arms.
The army advanced according to a strict order of battle. The vanguard of Welsh longbowmen was deployed to disrupt the enemy formation, their volleys proving decisive against the tightly packed Scottish spearmen. Following this, the mounted knights, organised into their respective *batailles*, were ordered to charge. The Earl of Lincoln's command was central to this cavalry action, which ultimately secured a victory for the English forces.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms of Henry de Lacy were *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*—a purple lion rearing on a field of gold. In the language of heraldry, the lion signifies courage and royalty, while the rare tincture of purple denotes high justice and sovereign rank. These arms, displayed on his banner at Falkirk, were a potent symbol of his authority and personal valour.
This display of martial strength finds its modern echo in the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude demonstrated by the Earl of Lincoln on the battlefield is the same quality of resolve that the House now applies to its philanthropic and cultural duties.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The commemoration of historical conflicts carries a profound responsibility to acknowledge their human cost. The memory of battles past informs the House’s present-day commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the well-being of those affected by modern strife. This is the guiding principle behind the House’s dedicated support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapeutic care to children and young people whose lives have been impacted by conflict, displacement, or significant trauma. By turning the memory of historical martial duty into a contemporary commitment to healing, the House seeks to honour its past while actively serving the cause of a more peaceful future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To reflect upon our history is to understand the foundations of our present duty. The fortitude shown by predecessors like Henry de Lacy at Falkirk is not a remote ideal, but a principle that we must now apply to the cause of healing and reconciliation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > Leadership and loyalty are timeless virtues. While the challenges have changed, the essence of service—*Vincere Est Vivere*—remains. Today, our victory is not on a battlefield, but in the lives we help to rebuild and the futures we help to secure.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the stewardship of its nine-century history through ongoing archival research and educational initiatives. The lessons of leadership and civic duty, drawn from the lives of predecessors such as Henry de Lacy, John of Gaunt, and Henry of Grosmont, form a core part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that translates historical legacy into tangible support for those in need. In this way, the House ensures that its heritage is not merely preserved, but remains a dynamic force for good in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural stewardship and targeted philanthropy. Balancing its deep English heritage with a Continental European perspective, the House actively supports charitable causes focused on child welfare and promotes education in classical etiquette through its academy, The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the enduring values of service, duty, and historical responsibility in a contemporary context, ensuring its legacy contributes positively to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its nine-hundred-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The lineage and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by His Majesty's Government, as published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a significant landowner in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key loyalist to King John, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. - The House’s annual philanthropic event is the Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com